Near field communication antenna device of mobile terminal

ABSTRACT

A near field communication antenna device of a mobile terminal is provided. The near field communication antenna device includes a window including a display region for transmitting an image displayed by a display and a black mark region formed around the display region, a multi-layer Flexible Printed Circuit Board (FPCB) on which a plurality of layers are laminated on the lower side of the black mark region of the window, and a spiral loop-shaped antenna pattern in which conductive lines are formed on respective layers of the multi-layer FPCB and are connected to each other. Accordingly, a near field communication antenna is not disposed in a separated installation space, an antenna pattern width can be reduced, and performance of the near field communication antenna may be prevented from being degraded when a battery cover is made of metal or has a curved shape.

PRIORITY

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) of a Koreanpatent application filed on Sep. 28, 2011 in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office and assigned Serial No. 10-2011-0098082, the entiredisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a near field communication antennadevice of a mobile terminal. More particularly, the present inventionrelates to a near field communication antenna device of a mobileterminal that is without an exclusive space in which a near fieldcommunication antenna is installed.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recently, as sharing of data, electronic payment systems, and electronicticketing systems are increasing, more near field communication antennadevices are installed in mobile terminals. This near field communicationantenna device has an LC resonance loop antenna utilizing magneticcoupling to perform near field communications of a range of 10 cm to 20cm using low frequencies of 13.56 MHz (±7 kHz).

The near filed communication antenna should have an overall area greaterthan 1,500 mm² and a length of a minor oval axis longer than 30 mm. Aplurality of loops formed by an antenna line of the near fieldcommunication antenna needs to be formed in order to generate a desiredelectromotive force. Since a conductive line forming the plurality ofloops is formed in a single layer, a near field communication antennadevice of a mobile terminal is limited in reducing a width of antennapatterns for forming the plurality of antenna lines. For reference, awidth of the antenna patterns described herein is defined as a value inwhich a sum of widths of portions without conductive lines (which aregaps between antenna lines) is added to a sum of widths of theconductive lines as measured when viewing the near field communicationantenna from top. For example, it is assumed that a width of a singleantenna line is 0.8 mm and a gap between conductive lines is 0.4 mm Inthis case, if a number of turns of a loop formed by the antenna lines isfour, an antenna pattern with a width of 4.8 mm is formed, wherein thewidth is calculated as (0.8 mm+0.4 mm)*4 loops. However, as mobileterminals are made smaller and thinner, it is difficult to secure anadequate area for a near field communication antenna.

Furthermore, in a case where a near field communication antenna isinstalled or disposed near to or on a battery or a battery cover of amobile terminal, performance of the near field communication antennadegrades. In addition, in a case where the battery cover is curved,since the near field communication antenna installed on the batterycover does not have a planar shape, performance of the near fieldcommunication antenna degrades due to the shape of the antenna.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present invention are to address at least theabove-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at leastthe advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the presentinvention is to provide a near field communication antenna of a mobileterminal, which does not need an installation area or space for the nearfield communication antenna and in which a width of an antenna patternof the near field communication antenna is reduced.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a near fieldcommunication antenna of a mobile terminal in which performance of thenear field communication antenna is prevented from being degraded when abattery cover is made of a metal or has a curved shape.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a near fieldcommunication antenna device of a mobile terminal is provided. The nearfield communication antenna device includes a window including a displayregion for transmitting an image displayed by a display and a black markregion formed around the display region, a multi-layer Flexible PrintedCircuit Board (FPCB) on which a plurality of layers are laminated on alower side of the black mark region of the window, and a spiralloop-shaped antenna pattern in which conductive lines are formed onrespective layers of the multi-layer FPCB and are connected to eachother.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a mobileterminal including a near field communication antenna device, a display,and a window transmitting an image generated by the display areprovided. The near field communication device includes a multi-layerFPCB on which a plurality of layers are laminated onto a lower side ofthe black mark region of the window, and a spiral loop-shaped antennapattern in which conductive lines are formed on respective layers of themulti-layer FPCB and are connected to each other.

Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings,discloses exemplary embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certainexemplary embodiments of the present invention will be more apparentfrom the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a mobile terminal having a near fieldcommunication antenna according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the near field communication antennadevice of a mobile terminal taken along the cutting line A-A′ of theexemplary embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear view illustrating a window of the exemplary embodimentof FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a dotted portion B of theexemplary embodiment of FIG. 2 illustrating a multi-layer FlexiblePrinted Circuit Board (FPCB);

FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating an antenna pattern of themulti-layer FPCB of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6A is a sectional view illustrating a multi-layer FPCB of themulti-layer FPCB of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6B is a sectional view illustrating a multi-layer FPCB of themulti-layer FPCB of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating an antenna pattern of themulti-layer FPCB of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view, taken along the cutting line A-A′ of FIG. 1,of a near field communication antenna device according to anotherexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a rear view illustrating a window of the exemplary embodimentof FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a multi-layer FPCB of a nearfield communication antenna device of a mobile terminal according tostill another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic view illustrating an antenna pattern of themulti-layer FPCB of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a multi-layer FPCB of theexemplary embodiment of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a schematic view illustrating an antenna pattern of amulti-layer FPCB of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a schematic view illustrating an antenna pattern of themulti-layer FPCB of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 10;

FIG. 15 is a schematic view illustrating an antenna pattern of themulti-layer FPCB of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 10;

FIG. 16 is a schematic view illustrating an antenna pattern of themulti-layer FPCB of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 10;

FIG. 17 is a schematic view illustrating an antenna pattern of themulti-layer FPCB of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 10; and

FIG. 18 is a schematic view illustrating an antenna pattern of themulti-layer FPCB of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 10.

Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that like reference numbersare used to depict the same or similar elements, features, andstructures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings isprovided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplaryembodiments of the invention as defined by the claims and theirequivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in thatunderstanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary.Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatvarious changes and modifications of the embodiments described hereincan be made without departing from the scope and spirit of theinvention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions andconstructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are notlimited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by theinventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of theinvention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in theart that the following description of exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention is provided for illustration purpose only and not forthe purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claimsand their equivalents.

It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the”include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.Thus, for example, reference to “a component surface” includes referenceto one or more of such surfaces.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a mobile terminal having a near fieldcommunication antenna according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention. FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the near fieldcommunication antenna device of a mobile terminal taken along thecutting line A-A′ of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is arear view illustrating a window of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2.FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a dotted portion B of theexemplary embodiment of FIG. 2 illustrating a multi-layer FlexiblePrinted Circuit Board (FPCB). FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating anantenna pattern of the multi-layer FPCB of the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 4.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, a near field communication antenna device 100of a mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention will be described as follows. For reference, a cutting lineA-A′ of FIG. 1 traverses a receiver hole 121 and a key 123 in alongitudinal direction of a mobile terminal 101. A near fieldcommunication antenna device 100 of a mobile terminal includes a display110, a window 120, a multi-layer FPCB 160, and an antenna pattern 160 a.

The display 110 displays an image to a user, and according to thisexemplary embodiment, is an on-cell Touch Screen Panel (TSP) ActiveMatrix Organic Light Emitting Diode (AMOLED) display which includes atouch screen sensor pattern 113 formed on an AMOLED 111, and apolarizing plate 114. The AMOLED 111 includes a Low TemperaturePolycrystalline Silicon (LTPS) glass 111 a made of light emittingorganic material so as to emit light and an encapsulating glass 111 bsealing the top of the LTPS glass 111 a.

A display driver 116 driving the AMOLED 111 is positioned at an upperside of the LTPS glass 111 a. The display driver 116 is connected to anFPCB 117 that is connected to a main board 140 so as to transmit acontrol signal to the display driver 116. A main antenna 150 is mountedon a lower side of the main board 140 and a bracket 130 is disposedbetween the main board 140 and the display 110. The gap between thelower side of the encapsulating glass 111 b and the upper side of theLTPS glass 111 a is sealed by a cell seal 112 made of metal glass andthe sealed gaps between the encapsulating glass 111 b and the LTPS glass111 a is filled with nitrogen gas. The touch screen sensor pattern 113is formed on the encapsulating glass 111 b so as to sense a user touch.The touch screen sensor pattern 113 may be made of Indium Tin Oxide(ITO). The polarizing plate 114 is formed on the touch screen sensorpattern 113 in order to prevent external light from being reflected fromthe AMOLED 111.

The window 120 transmits an image displayed by the display 110 to a userand protects the display 110 from an external environment, and isdisposed on the display 110. The window 120 may be made of glass or anyother suitable material. In the present exemplary embodiment, resin 115is formed between the window 120 and the display 110 so that theexternal light incident upon the window 120 is prevented from beingreflected between the window 120 and the display 110. In other words,the resin 115 is disposed so as to fill in a gap between the window 120and the display 110.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, the window 120 includes a displayregion 120 a transmitting an image displayed by the display 110 and ablack mark region 120 b formed around the display region 120 a. Theblack mark region 120 b blocks visibility of the surroundings of thedisplay 110 of the interior of the mobile terminal 101 and may be formedby attaching a black tape (not shown) or printing or depositing blackpaint (not shown) on a rear side of the window 120. As illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3, the window 120 includes the receiver hole 121 and a keyhole 122. The receiver hole 121 is connected to a receiver or a speaker(not shown) in order to deliver voice or audio signals generated by themobile terminal 101. The key 123 is positioned in the key hole 122.

The multi-layer FPCB 160 is an FPCB formed by laminating a plurality oflayers on the lower side of the black mark region 120 b of the window120. The multi-layer FPCB 160 may be formed by winding a single FPCBseveral times in a laminating process or by laminating several FPCBshaving separated layers. In the present exemplary embodiment, themulti-layer FPCB 160 is formed on the rear side of the window 120, andthe multi-layer FPCB 160 is adjacent to an edge of the display 110 andincludes four layers 161, 162, 163, and 164, as seen in FIG. 4.

The antenna pattern 160 a is formed as a spiral loop by connectingconductive lines 161 a, 162 a, 163 a, and 164 a to respective ones ofthe layers 161, 162, 163, and 164 of the multi-layer FPCB 160. Asillustrated in FIG. 5, the antenna pattern 160 a has a plurality ofsuccessive loops. The conductive lines 161 a, 162 a, 163 a, and 164 aare all formed at the same sides of the respective layers 161, 162, 163,and 164 of the multi-layer FPCB 160 and extend in a longitudinaldirection of the multi-layer FPCB 160. In this exemplary embodiment, theconductive lines 161 a, 162 a, 163 a, and 164 a overlap with each otherwhen viewed from above. Both ends 160 ab and 160 ac of the antennapattern 160 a formed at both ends 160 b and 160 c of the multi-layerFPCB 160 are electrically connected to a near field communication module(not shown). The near field communication module may be mounted on themain board 140.

According to the present exemplary embodiment, an area of themulti-layer FPCB 160 on which the conductive lines 161 a, 162 a, 163 a,and 164 a are formed is in the black mark region of the window 120 sothat there is no need to prepare an installation area for the near fieldcommunication antenna. Moreover, the antenna pattern 160 a having theplurality of successive loops may have a reduced antenna pattern widthP1 that is less than a width of related-art antenna patterns because theantenna pattern 160 a is formed by laminating several layers 161, 162,163, and 164 on the multi-layer FPCB 160. In more detail, according tothe measured results of the present exemplary embodiment, a width L1 ofthe respective conductive lines 161 a, 162 a, 163 a, and 164 a is 0.8 mmon the multi-layer FPCB 160 and a width C1 of the portion on which theconductive lines 161 a, 162 a, 163 a, and 164 a are not formed is 0.2mm. That is, a width P1 of the antenna pattern according to the presentexemplary embodiment may be measured to be 1 mm (0.8 mm+0.2 mm), andthus, it is seen that the width is less than the related-art antennapattern width, which is approximately 4.8 mm.

In addition, according to the present exemplary embodiment, since themulti-layer FPCB 160 having the near field communication antenna isformed on the window 120 that is positioned at the front side of themobile terminal 101, the near field communication antenna of thisexemplary embodiment may radiate and receive near field communicationsignals from a front of the mobile terminal 101. Thus, even when thebattery cover (not shown) of the rear side of the mobile terminal 101 ismade of metal, performance of the antenna may be prevented fromdegrading due to the use of the metal. Furthermore, since themulti-layer FPCB 160 having the near field communication antenna ismounted on the window 120 rather than on the battery cover, varioustypes of battery covers may be applied to or used with the mobileterminal 101.

FIG. 6A is a sectional view illustrating a multi-layer FPCB of themulti-layer FPCB of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4. FIG. 7 is aschematic view illustrating an antenna pattern of the multi-layer FPCBof the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6A. In a multi-layer FPCB 170 ofFIG. 6A, differently from the multi-layer FPCB 160 of FIG. 4, conductivelines 171 a and 173 a, which are respectively formed on a first layer171 and a third layer 173, are disposed further in from a loop thanconductive lines 172 a and 174 a, which are respectively formed on asecond layer 172 and a fourth layer 174. In other words, the conductivelines 171 a, 172 a, 173 a, and 174 a respectively formed on the layers171, 172, 173, and 174 are disposed on alternating sides of therespective layers from an inside to an outside or, alternately on leftand right sides. By doing so, the antenna pattern 170 a of FIG. 6A, incomparison to the antenna pattern 160 a of FIG. 4, has a reducedinterference between the conductive lines formed on adjacent layers.Thus, performance of the antenna may be further improved.

In addition, the antenna pattern 170 a of FIG. 6A, similar to theantenna pattern 160 a of FIG. 4, has an antenna pattern width P2 that isless than that of the related-art antenna pattern because the respectivelayers 171, 172, 173, and 174 on which the conductive lines 171 a, 172a, 173 a, and 174 a are respectively formed are laminated so as to formthe antenna pattern 170 a. In more detail, according to the measuredresults using the present exemplary embodiment, in the multi-layer FPCB160, a width L2 of each of the respective conductive lines 171 a, 172 a,173 a, and 174 a is 0.8 mm and a width C2 of each of respective portionson which the conductive lines 171 a, 172 a, 173 a, and 174 a are notformed may be 0.2 mm. That is, the antenna pattern width P2 of thepresent exemplary embodiment may be measured to be 2 mm, i.e., (0.8mm+0.2 mm)*2), such that it can be seen that the width is reducedcompared to the related-art antenna pattern width, which is 4.8 mm.

FIG. 6B is a sectional view illustrating a multi-layer FPCB of themulti-layer FPCB of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4. A multi-layerFPCB 180 of FIG. 6B, similar to the multi-layer FPCB 170 of FIG. 6A,includes conductive lines 181 a, 182 a, 183 a, and 184 a respectivelyformed on layers 181, 182, 183, and 184 are disposed on alternatingsides of the respective layers from an inside to an outside a loop.However, as illustrated in FIG. 6B, the conductive lines 181 a, 182 a,183 a, and 184 a, which are formed on the respective layers 181, 182,183, and 184, overlap with each other inside the loop when viewed fromabove. In other words, the conductive lines 181 a, 182 a, 183 a, and 184a are disposed and partially overlapped with each other when viewing themobile terminal 101 from above.

By doing so, the multi-layer FPCB 180, according to the presentexemplary embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 6B, may have an antennapattern width P3 that is narrower than the antenna pattern width P2 ofthe multi-layer FPCB 170 of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6A evenwhen the antenna pattern width L3 is the same as that of the width L2 ofthe conductive lines 171 a, 172 a, 173 a, and 174 a of the multi-layerFPCB 170. Moreover, the multi-layer FPCB 180, as compared to themulti-layer FPCB 160 as illustrated in FIG. 4, has less interferencebetween the conductive lines formed on the adjacent layers.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view, taken along the cutting line A-A′ of theexemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, of a near field communication antennadevice. FIG. 9 is a rear view illustrating a window of the exemplaryembodiment of FIG. 8. A near field communication antenna device 200 of amobile terminal according to the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 8 and 9will be described below.

In the near field communication antenna device 200, according to thepresent exemplary embodiment is different from the near fieldcommunication antenna device 100 of the mobile terminal 101 according tothe exemplary embodiments of FIG. 2 and includes a multi-layer FPCB 260disposed close to an edge of a window 220. That is, in the near fieldcommunication antenna device 100 according to the exemplary embodimentof FIG. 2, since the multi-layer FPCB 160 is disposed adjacent to theedge of the display 110, the performance of the antenna is affected bythe metal bracket 130.

Particularly, it is hard to guarantee sufficient performance of anantenna when the mobile terminal 101 is in a reader mode. On the otherhand, in the near field communication antenna device 200 according tothe exemplary embodiment of in FIG. 8, since the multi-layer FPCB 260 isdisposed adjacent to an edge of the window 220, a region at which anantenna pattern 260 a of the multi-layer FPCB 260 is positioned does notoverlap with a region at which a bracket 230 is positioned. Thus, in thepresent exemplary embodiment, performance of an antenna is not affectedby the bracket 230. According to experimental results, the near fieldcommunication antenna device 200 of a mobile terminal according to thepresent exemplary embodiment may produce a recognition range of about 25mm in the reader mode.

Configuration of the near field communication antenna device 200 of amobile terminal according to another exemplary embodiment is similar tothe configuration of the near field communication antenna device 100 ofa mobile terminal according to the previously discussed exemplaryembodiments, except for that which was directly above-mentioned.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a multi-layer FPCB of a nearfield communication antenna device of a mobile terminal according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is aschematic view illustrating an antenna pattern of the multi-layer FPCBof the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 10. A multi-layer FPCB 360 of nearfield communication antenna device of a mobile terminal according to thepresent exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.10 and 11.

The multi-layer FPCB 360 includes an open loop FPCB 380 and a closedloop FPCB 370. The open loop FPCB 380, similar to the multi-layer FPCB160 described above, is formed by laminating a plurality of layers 361and 362 such that conductive lines 361 a and 362 a formed respectivelyon layers 361 and 362 are connected to each other so as to form a spiralloop. Moreover, both ends 380 ab and 380 ac of an open loop antennapattern 380 a, which is formed by the conductive lines 361 a and 362 a,are connected to each other and are formed at both ends 380 b and 380 cof the open loop FPCB 380 so as to be electrically connected to a nearfield communication module (not shown in FIG. 10).

The closed loop FPCB 370 has an antenna pattern 360 a that includes aclosed loop antenna pattern 370 a that is electrically separated fromthe open loop antenna pattern 380 a. In the present exemplaryembodiment, the closed loop FPCB 370 is laminated so as to be disposedbetween two layers, the first layer 361 and the second layer 362 thatform the open loop FPCB 380. By doing so, respective ends 361 b and 362b of a first layer 361 and a second layer 262 protrude inwards from theloop such that respective ends 361 ab and 362 ab of conductive lines 361a and 362 a are electrically connected to each other. This structure inwhich the ends 361 ab and 362 ab of the conductive lines 361 a and 362 aare electrically connected to each other may be made by forming athrough-hole filled with conductive material at a lower side of the end362 b of the conductive line 362 a of the second layer 362, andsoldering the conductive material, and other similar methods. The nearfield communication antenna device of a mobile terminal according to thepresent exemplary embodiment is similar to the near field communicationantenna device of a mobile terminal according to the previouslydescribed exemplary embodiments, except for that which is directlymentioned in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 10 and 11.

The near field communication antenna device according to the presentexemplary embodiments may provide better performance in accordance withthe number of turns of the antenna pattern of the multi-layer FPCB.However, an allowable frequency of operation of the near fieldcommunication antenna may be fixed to 13.56 MHz, and an antenna patternlength longer than a length of an antenna pattern corresponding to 13.56MHz should not be used.

Since the antenna pattern according to the present exemplary embodimentof FIG. 11 includes the closed loop antenna pattern 370 a in addition tothe open loop antenna pattern 380 a, in order to provide increasedperformance of an antenna without a longer open loop antenna pattern 380a used for achieving a pre-determined resonance frequency of an antenna.This increased performance of an antenna may be achieved by a physicalprocess in which an induced current flows through the closed loopantenna pattern 370 a due to a magnetic field generated by a currentflowing through the open loop antenna pattern 380 a, wherein themagnetic field is reinforced by the induced current.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a multi-layer FPCB of theexemplary embodiment of FIG. 10. FIG. 13 is a schematic viewillustrating an antenna pattern of the multi-layer FPCB of the exemplaryembodiment of FIG. 12. FIG. 14 is a schematic view illustrating anantenna pattern of the multi-layer FPCB of the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 10. A multi-layer FPCB 460 according to the present exemplaryembodiment of the multi-layer FPCB as illustrated in FIG. 10 will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 12 to 14.

The multi-layer FPCB 460 is similar to the multi-layer FPCB 360 asillustrated in FIG. 10, and includes an open loop FPCB 480 and a closedloop FPCB 470. The open loop FPCB 480 is made by laminating a pluralityof layers 461 and 462 and has a spiral loop in which conductive lines461 a and 462 a are formed on respective layers 461 and 462 that areconnected to each other. Both ends 480 b and 480 c of the open loopantenna pattern 480 a are formed by connecting the conductive lines 461a and 462 a at both ends 480 b and 480 c so as to be electricallyconnected to a near field communication module (not shown).

The closed loop FPCB 470 of the present exemplary embodiment has theclosed loop antenna pattern 470 a electrically disconnected from theopen loop antenna pattern 480 a. The closed loop FPCB 470, unlike theclosed loop FPCB 370 as illustrated in FIG. 10, is laminated so as to beon a lower side of the open loop FPCB 480. Moreover, as is similar to anantenna pattern 560 a according to an exemplary embodiment illustratedin FIG. 14, the closed loop FPCB may be laminated on the open loop FPCBsuch that a closed loop antenna pattern 570 a is disposed on the openloop antenna pattern 580 a.

FIG. 15 is a schematic view illustrating an antenna pattern of amulti-layer FPCB of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 10. FIG. 16 is aschematic view illustrating an antenna pattern of the multi-layer FPCBof the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 10. FIG. 17 is a schematic viewillustrating an antenna pattern of the multi-layer FPCB of the exemplaryembodiment of FIG. 10. FIG. 18 is a schematic view illustrating anantenna pattern of the multi-layer FPCB of the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 10.

Antenna patterns 660 a, 760 a, 860 a, and 960 a, according to respectiveexemplary embodiments as illustrated in FIGS. 15 to 18, respectivelyinclude a plurality of closed loop antenna patterns 671 a, 672 a, 771 a,772 a, 871 a, 872 a, 971 a, 972 a, and 973 a.

Specifically, a multi-layer FPCB (not shown) according to the exemplaryembodiment illustrated in FIG. 15, includes a first closed loop FPCB(not shown) on which a first closed loop antenna pattern 671 a is formedso as to be laminated between the two layers forming an open loop FPCB(not shown) and a second closed loop FPCB (not shown) on which a secondclosed loop antenna pattern 672 a is formed so as to be laminated on theopen loop FPCB, such that the first closed loop antenna pattern 671 a isdisposed between conductive lines 661 a and 662 a, which form an openloop antenna pattern 680 a, and so that a second closed loop antennapattern 672 a is disposed on the open loop antenna pattern 680 a.

A multi-layer FPCB (not shown) according to the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 16, includes a first closed loop FPCB (not shown) on which a firstclosed loop antenna pattern 771 a is formed so as to be laminated on thelower side of the open loop FPCB (not shown) and a second closed loopFPCB (not shown) on which a second closed loop antenna pattern 772 a isformed so as to be laminated between two layers forming the open loopFPCB. As such, the first closed loop antenna pattern 771 a is disposedat the lower side of the opening loop antenna pattern 780 a and a secondclosed loop antenna pattern 772 a is disposed between conductive lines761 a and 762 a, thus forming an open loop antenna pattern 780 a.

A multi-layer FPCB (not shown) according to the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 17, includes a first closed loop FPCB (not shown), on which thefirst closed loop antenna pattern 871 a is formed, and a second closedloop FPCB (not shown), on which a second closed loop antenna pattern 872a is formed. The antenna patterns 871 a and 872 a are laminated on thelower and upper sides of the open loop FPCB (not shown), such that thefirst closed loop antenna pattern 871 a is disposed at the lower side ofan open loop antenna pattern 880 a and a second closed loop antennapattern 872 a is disposed on an upper side of the open loop antennapattern 880 a.

A multi-layer FPCB (not shown) according to the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 18, includes first and third closed loop FPCBs (not shown), onwhich first and third closed loop antenna patterns 971 a and 973 a areformed, and are laminated on the lower and upper sides of an open loopFPCB (not shown). A second closed loop FPCB (not shown), on which asecond closed loop antenna pattern 972 a is formed, is laminated so asto be between two layers forming the open loop FPCB, such that the firstand third closed loop antenna patterns 971 a and 973 a are disposed atthe lower and upper sides of an open loop antenna pattern 980 a and suchthat the second closed loop antenna pattern 972 a is laminated betweenconductive lines 961 a and 962 a, which form the open loop antennapattern 980 a.

The multi-layer FPCBs according to the exemplary embodiments of FIGS.15-18 include a plurality of closed loop FPCBs on which closed loopantenna patterns are formed, and thus may generate a stronger magneticfield than the multi-layer FPCBs including only one closed loop, such asthe FPCBs 370 and 470 as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 12.

The conductive lines of the open loop antenna patterns forming theantenna patterns 360 a, 460 a, 560 a, 660 a, 760 a, 860 a, and 960 a andthe closed loop antenna patterns as illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 18 may berespectively disposed on alternating sides of the respective layers froman inside to an outside of the loop.

According to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, since amulti-layer FPCB, which has a spiral loop-shaped antenna pattern formedby connecting the conductive lines of the antenna pattern formed inrespective layers of the multi-layer FPCB to each other, forms a blackmark region of a window of a mobile terminal, an additional installationarea is not needed for the near field communication antenna. Moreover,since the conductive lines of multiple successive loops are laminated onthe multi-layer FPCB, a width of the antenna pattern may be reduced.

In addition, since the multi-layer FPCB implementing the near fieldcommunication antenna is formed on a window, performance of the nearfield communication antenna may be prevented from being degraded whenthe battery cover is made of a metal or has a curved shape.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference tocertain exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention asdefined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A near field communication antenna device of amobile terminal, the device comprising: a window including a displayregion for transmitting an image displayed by a display and a black markregion formed around the display region; a multi-layer Flexible PrintedCircuit Board (FPCB) on which a plurality of layers are laminated on alower side of the black mark region of the window; and a spiralloop-shaped antenna pattern in which conductive lines are formed onrespective layers of the multi-layer FPCB and are connected to eachother.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the conductive lines aredisposed on the respective layers of the multi-layer FPCB on alternatingsides of the respective layers from inside of the loop.
 3. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the multi-layer FPCB is disposed so as to be adjacentto an edge of the window.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the displaycomprises an Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode (AMOLED)display.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the display comprises a touchscreen sensor pattern formed on an upper side of the AMOLED display. 6.The device of claim 1, wherein both ends of the antenna pattern areelectrically connected to a near field communication module.
 7. Thedevice of claim 1, further comprising a closed loop FPCB having a closedloop antenna pattern that is electrically disconnected from the antennapattern.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein the closed loop FPCB islaminated so as to be at least one of between the layers of themulti-layer FPCB, on an upper side of the multi-layer FPCB, and on alower side of the multi-layer FPCB.
 9. A mobile terminal including anear field communication antenna device, a display, and a windowtransmitting an image generated by the display, the mobile terminalcomprising: a multi-layer Flexible Printed Circuit Board (FPCB) on whicha plurality of layers are laminated onto a lower side of the black markregion of the window; and a spiral loop-shaped antenna pattern in whichconductive lines are formed on respective layers of the multi-layer FPCBand are connected to each other.
 10. The mobile terminal of claim 9,wherein the conductive lines are disposed on the respective layers ofthe multi-layer FPCB on alternating sides of the respective layers so asto not overlap when viewed from a vertical direction extending from themulti-layer FPCB through the window.
 11. The mobile terminal of claim 9,wherein the near field communication device further comprises aclosed-loop antenna pattern formed in the shape of a circle.
 12. Themobile terminal of claim 11, wherein the closed-loop antenna pattern isdisposed so as to be at least one of on top of the spiral loop-shapedantenna pattern, below the spiral loop-shaped antenna pattern, andbetween at least two loops of the spiral loop-shaped antenna pattern.13. The mobile terminal of claim 9, wherein the multi-layer FPCB isdisposed so as to be adjacent to an edge of the window.
 14. The mobileterminal of claim 9, wherein both ends of the antenna pattern areelectrically connected to a near field communication module.
 15. Themobile terminal of claim 9, further comprising a closed loop FPCB havinga closed loop antenna pattern that is electrically disconnected from theantenna pattern.
 16. The mobile terminal of claim 15, wherein the closedloop FPCB is laminated so as to be at least one of between the layers ofthe multi-layer FPCB, on an upper side of the multi-layer FPCB, and on alower side of the multi-layer FPCB.
 17. The mobile terminal of claim 9,wherein the conductive lines are formed of one continuous wire line.